Grip creaking (near IR sensor)

Kunzite · 12-19-2016, 02:18 PM

MJKoski :
Of course the magnesium alloy frame does not give in - you don't have enough grip force to bend it, and if you did, it would stay bent. And don't try to explain me how a K-1 feels; you have better chances with someone who never touched a K-1, or a Pentax in general. But a K-1 owner?
As BigMackCam said, use a JIS (not Philips) screwdriver.

Meg4mi: everyone here has a loose screw or two

MJKoski · 12-19-2016, 02:44 PM

I am confused now, are those screws loose on purpose if npc had better results doing the opposite adjustment? Mine got better by tightening everything I could adjust around the grip.

EDIT: Hm, the grip may have uneven glue applied at some areas. I have a trashed D800E body which I totally disassembled a week ago and found out that some areas of the rubber grip had poor application of glue thus making it slide a bit. So it might be that tightening the screws (if loose) will not help in all cases. It is possible that the IR sensor unit moves a tiny bit when pushed from either side of the grip.

**shardulm** · 12-19-2016, 06:51 PM

Originally posted by MJKoski

EDIT: Oh boy! The Screws are indeed loose! (Not counting those in my head) But, almost all the screws were not tightened properly around the grip and at the bottom of the grip. Some screws took full 360 degree turn to get proper tightening. 00 or 0-sized head fits properly. The creaking almost vanished totally but not completely - there is one screw at the bottom of a deep little hole inside the battery compartment. I guess it would solve the puzzle for good.

Makes me wonder if your camera sits in a place that vibrates a lot. The screws should not come off though unless they rushed a few half screwed (pun) shipments to the stores to meet the initial demand.

It happened to my K-X though when I had put a very heavy lens on it and picked it up from the side grip instead of picking it up from the underside of the heavy lens. Looks like the tight tolerances in those areas are strained when there is a very heavy lens (like the new D-FA 70-200 or DA*60-250) attached to it.

MJKoski · 12-20-2016, 01:14 AM

Well yeah, the camera travels in trunk of my car and it does get its share from vibrations and bumbs. It has traveled about ~40 000 kilometers so far after June.

Meg4mi · 12-20-2016, 01:32 AM

Not sure about what to do because , if it's stay (the small movemement) like today, it doesn't really matter but if it amplify with time it could be more problematic.

**BigMackCam** · 12-20-2016, 01:56 AM

Originally posted by Meg4mi

Not sure about what to do because , if it's stay (the small movemement) like today, it doesn't really matter but if it amplify with time it could be more problematic.

If it doesn't concern you right now, I'd leave it as it is but make a note to check it closer to the end of your warranty. I've no doubt Ricoh (or its service partners) can address the problem if required...

redpit · 12-20-2016, 02:02 AM

Since we don't know what causes the problem how can we fix it?

Mine had some creaking from the day I got it, but I haven't been noticing everytime. I haven't checked the screws as well.

If someone has had his K-1 serviced for this grip creaking he may give us some clue what it is about (and if it is something that worth fixing - if it may worsen up in the future and cause troubles).

noelpolar · 12-20-2016, 04:41 AM

Mine does it... screws were tight.

MJKoski · 12-20-2016, 05:41 AM

If I push directly at the IR sensor I can feel some part moving and this produces mild "click" type of sound. Maybe the rubber glue has lost its adhesion capability around the area and thus causes something to move while torque is being applied as lifting begins -> creaking sound.

Meg4mi · 12-21-2016, 07:45 AM

Originally posted by MJKoski

If I push directly at the IR sensor I can feel some part moving and this produces mild "click" type of sound. Maybe the rubber glue has lost its adhesion capability around the area and thus causes something to move while torque is being applied as lifting begins -> creaking sound.

In fact what i feel is more like the mild "click" type of sound you've just described.

And if i put some pressure to each side of the grip from left to right or the other way (see picture below) with my thumb and forefinger I can hear that "click" sound (click click, click click, etc....)

**lithedreamer** · 12-21-2016, 08:52 PM

Just noted this issue with my grip today. :/

**BigMackCam** · 12-22-2016, 01:03 AM

Has anybody mentioned this to Ricoh via our Ask Ricoh Imaging Support facility? If they're aware of it, perhaps they can set everyone's minds at rest.

It doesn't sound like a serious problem - perhaps a little disconcerting for some, but you should feel the grip on my Canon EOS 5 film camera... that's a relatively thin removable cover for the battery compartment, and it creaks like you wouldn't believe.

**lithedreamer** · 12-22-2016, 01:34 AM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Has anybody mentioned this to Ricoh via our Ask Ricoh Imaging Support facility? If they're aware of it, perhaps they can set everyone's minds at rest.

It doesn't sound like a serious problem - perhaps a little disconcerting for some, but you should feel the grip on my Canon EOS 5 film camera... that's a relatively thin removable cover for the battery compartment, and it creaks like you wouldn't believe.

I didn't bother since it's been some days since there's been any response at all from a Ricoh representative to concerns there. Probably just the holidays.

Not a Number · 12-22-2016, 01:38 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

Of course the magnesium alloy frame does not give in - you don't have enough grip force to bend it, and if you did, it would stay bent

Cast parts can crack, especially if there is a flaw in the casting or design. That's why critical parts are inspected with x-rays. As I recall someone posted photos of their K-5 or K-3 that had cracked without having been dropped.

Kunzite · 12-22-2016, 01:48 AM

Not consistent with the defect, I think.

12-19-2016, 02:44 PM	#17
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784	I am confused now, are those screws loose on purpose if npc had better results doing the opposite adjustment? Mine got better by tightening everything I could adjust around the grip. EDIT: Hm, the grip may have uneven glue applied at some areas. I have a trashed D800E body which I totally disassembled a week ago and found out that some areas of the rubber grip had poor application of glue thus making it slide a bit. So it might be that tightening the screws (if loose) will not help in all cases. It is possible that the IR sensor unit moves a tiny bit when pushed from either side of the grip. Last edited by MJKoski; 12-19-2016 at 02:53 PM.

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12-19-2016, 02:18 PM	#16
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	MJKoski : Of course the magnesium alloy frame does not give in - you don't have enough grip force to bend it, and if you did, it would stay bent. And don't try to explain me how a K-1 feels; you have better chances with someone who never touched a K-1, or a Pentax in general. But a K-1 owner? As BigMackCam said, use a JIS (not Philips) screwdriver. Meg4mi: everyone here has a loose screw or two

12-19-2016, 06:51 PM	#18
shardulm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 793	Originally posted by MJKoski EDIT: Oh boy! The Screws are indeed loose! (Not counting those in my head) But, almost all the screws were not tightened properly around the grip and at the bottom of the grip. Some screws took full 360 degree turn to get proper tightening. 00 or 0-sized head fits properly. The creaking almost vanished totally but not completely - there is one screw at the bottom of a deep little hole inside the battery compartment. I guess it would solve the puzzle for good. Makes me wonder if your camera sits in a place that vibrates a lot. The screws should not come off though unless they rushed a few half screwed (pun) shipments to the stores to meet the initial demand. It happened to my K-X though when I had put a very heavy lens on it and picked it up from the side grip instead of picking it up from the underside of the heavy lens. Looks like the tight tolerances in those areas are strained when there is a very heavy lens (like the new D-FA 70-200 or DA*60-250) attached to it.

12-20-2016, 01:14 AM	#19
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784	Well yeah, the camera travels in trunk of my car and it does get its share from vibrations and bumbs. It has traveled about ~40 000 kilometers so far after June.

12-20-2016, 01:32 AM	#20
Meg4mi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 124 Original Poster	Not sure about what to do because , if it's stay (the small movemement) like today, it doesn't really matter but if it amplify with time it could be more problematic.

12-20-2016, 01:56 AM	#21
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	Originally posted by Meg4mi Not sure about what to do because , if it's stay (the small movemement) like today, it doesn't really matter but if it amplify with time it could be more problematic. If it doesn't concern you right now, I'd leave it as it is but make a note to check it closer to the end of your warranty. I've no doubt Ricoh (or its service partners) can address the problem if required...

12-20-2016, 02:02 AM	#22
redpit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Greece Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,857	Since we don't know what causes the problem how can we fix it? Mine had some creaking from the day I got it, but I haven't been noticing everytime. I haven't checked the screws as well. If someone has had his K-1 serviced for this grip creaking he may give us some clue what it is about (and if it is something that worth fixing - if it may worsen up in the future and cause troubles).

12-20-2016, 04:41 AM	#23
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	Mine does it... screws were tight.

12-20-2016, 05:41 AM	#24
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784	If I push directly at the IR sensor I can feel some part moving and this produces mild "click" type of sound. Maybe the rubber glue has lost its adhesion capability around the area and thus causes something to move while torque is being applied as lifting begins -> creaking sound.

12-21-2016, 07:45 AM	#25
Meg4mi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 124 Original Poster	Originally posted by MJKoski If I push directly at the IR sensor I can feel some part moving and this produces mild "click" type of sound. Maybe the rubber glue has lost its adhesion capability around the area and thus causes something to move while torque is being applied as lifting begins -> creaking sound. In fact what i feel is more like the mild "click" type of sound you've just described. And if i put some pressure to each side of the grip from left to right or the other way (see picture below) with my thumb and forefinger I can hear that "click" sound (click click, click click, etc....)

12-21-2016, 08:52 PM	#26
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	Just noted this issue with my grip today. :/

12-22-2016, 01:03 AM	#27
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	Has anybody mentioned this to Ricoh via our Ask Ricoh Imaging Support facility? If they're aware of it, perhaps they can set everyone's minds at rest. It doesn't sound like a serious problem - perhaps a little disconcerting for some, but you should feel the grip on my Canon EOS 5 film camera... that's a relatively thin removable cover for the battery compartment, and it creaks like you wouldn't believe.

12-22-2016, 01:34 AM	#28
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	Originally posted by BigMackCam Has anybody mentioned this to Ricoh via our Ask Ricoh Imaging Support facility? If they're aware of it, perhaps they can set everyone's minds at rest. It doesn't sound like a serious problem - perhaps a little disconcerting for some, but you should feel the grip on my Canon EOS 5 film camera... that's a relatively thin removable cover for the battery compartment, and it creaks like you wouldn't believe. I didn't bother since it's been some days since there's been any response at all from a Ricoh representative to concerns there. Probably just the holidays.

12-22-2016, 01:38 AM	#29
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by Kunzite Of course the magnesium alloy frame does not give in - you don't have enough grip force to bend it, and if you did, it would stay bent Cast parts can crack, especially if there is a flaw in the casting or design. That's why critical parts are inspected with x-rays. As I recall someone posted photos of their K-5 or K-3 that had cracked without having been dropped.

12-22-2016, 01:48 AM	#30
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Not consistent with the defect, I think.